Can the Judge Force me to Sell My House?
In New York State, Judges can force the sale of the marital residence or any property that is deemed to be marital. It is a common misconception among litigants in a divorce case in New York that a Judge will never force the sale of the marital residence......
When young children live in the house, it is common to allow the custodial parient to live in the residence until the children reach eighteen. However, if it can be proven that the custodial parent cannot afford to live in the residence or if you can prove that there is comparable housing in the same neighborhood, a judge may order the sale of the residence.
When one party has a separate property claim to the residence, Judges generally will require the other party to move out of the house at the conclusion of the divorce.
http://www.newyorkdivorceattorney.com/EquitableDistribution.html